Modular building unit

ABSTRACT

A modular building unit including a moment resistant space frame. The space frame includes an elongate lower frame assembly and an elongate upper frame assembly overlying and spaced above the lower assembly. A pair of upright support posts adjacent one set of ends of the frame assemblies and another pair of upright support posts adjacent the other set of ends of the frame assemblies provide the sole vertical support for the upper frame assembly above the lower frame assembly. The upper and lower sets of ends of the support posts are secured to the frame assemblies in such a manner as to provide moment resistant connections therebetween. Further, the support posts at one set of ends of the frame assemblies are of a different cross section than the support posts at the opposite ends of the frame assemblies to minimize effects of vibrations on the structure.

Boutacoff Get. 21, 1975 1 1 MODULAR BUILDING UNIT Theodore A.Boutacofl', Eagle Point, Oreg.

[75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Envex Corporation, White City,

Oreg.

[22] Filed: Jan.4, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 430,637

[521 US. Cl 52/648; 52/79 [51] int. Cl. E04 l/12 [58] Field of Search296/28 R, 23 R; 52/79, 52/69, 143, 648

[561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,963,121 12/1960 Felver52/73 2,990,588 7/1961 McKinley 52/143 3,279,132 10/1966 Slayter i i ii. 52/73 3,470,660 10/1969 Van Der Lely 52/79 3,605,350 9/1971 Bowers ii i 52/79 3,717,964 2/1973 Brown 1. 52/79 Primary Examiner]ohn E.Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or FirmKolisch, Hartwell, Dickinson & Stuart[57] ABSTRACT A modular building unit including a moment resistant spaceframe. The space frame includes an elongate lower frame assembly and anelongate upper frame assembly overlying and spaced above the lowerassembly. A pair of upright support posts adjacent one set of ends ofthe frame assemblies and another pair of upright support posts adjacentthe other set of ends of the frame assemblies provide the sole verticalsupport for the upper frame assembly above the lower frame assembly Theupper and lower sets of ends of the sup port posts are secured to theframe assemblies in such a manner as to provide moment resistantconnections therebetween Further, the support posts at one set of endsof the frame assemblies are of a different cross section than thesupport posts at the opposite ends of the frame assemblies to minimizeeffects of vibrations on the structure.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 2 of33,913,286

US. Patent Oct.2l, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,913,286

yffflll/ll/l MODU LAR BUILDING UNIT BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to modular building units, and moreparticularly to a space frame which provides the structural support insuch a modular building unit.

Various modular building designs have been developed in the past,however for the most part, such prior designs have required that wallpanels in the structure provide structural support in the building unit.With such previous designs, there was a great sacrifice in flexibilityin the uses to which such a modular building could be put. For example,if wall panels must bear structural loads, there is no opportunity toprovide totally open spaces, or use glass curtain walls.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a novel momentresistant space frame for a modular building unit which is relativelyinexpensive to construct, yet which has sufficient structural strengththat there is no need for wall panels to bear vertical structural loadsin the unit.

More specifically, an object is to provide a space frame for a modularbuilding unit which includes an elongate lower frame assembly, anelongate upper frame assembly spaced thereabove, and which requires onlya pair of support posts adjacent one set of ends of the frame assembliesand another pair of posts adjacent the opposite set of ends of the frameassemblies for providing the sole vertical support between the upper andlower frame assemblies. With such structure, wherein the four supportposts adjacent opposite ends of the structure provide virtually all ofthe support in the structure, there is no need for relying upon thestructural characteristics of wall panels for providing structuralintegrity in the unit. With such a building unit, there is almostunlimited flexibility in use, allowing free, open spaces to be provided,or allowing glass or solid wall panels to be used to enclose a space.

Another object is to provide a novel modular building unit having aself-supporting moment resistant space frame permitting the use ofnonload bearing wall panels which may be easily attached to the spaceframe or detached therefrom for reuse at another location. Modularbuilding units generally are trucked from the point of assembly to pointof use. This may be accomplished either by carrying them on the bed of aconventional truck, or by connecting wheeled trucks thereunder with atowbar connected to an end of the frame of the unit. During towing ofsuch units vibrations often occur. When vibrations occurred inpreviously designed structures, harmonic vibrations often developedwhich increased the intensity of the vibrations and caused damage tosuch structures. Earthquakes also may produce harmonic vibrations inprevious structures which may be destructive to the unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel modularbuilding unit which minimizes the likelihood that harmonic vibrationswill be produced in the structure.

More specifically, in the structure of the present invention, theupright support posts adjacent opposite ends of the structure havediffering cross sections. With such differing cross sections, shouldvibrations occur, they will not produce a harmonic effect and thus willnot be amplifying in their destructive characteristics.

Yet another object is to provide a novel space frame for a modularbuilding unit which includes means for simply and efficiently connectinga pair of such units together in side by side relationship.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a modularbuilding unit which may be set in an approximate position adjacentanother such unit, and providing such units with connecting meanswhereby a unit approximately positioned adjacent another unit may bedrawn into abutting relationship therewith and locked into such abuttingrelationship.

DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages will become more fullyapparent as the following description is read in conjunction with thedrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a space frame for a modular buildingunit constructed according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken generally along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 withportions broken away;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. Iand additionally showing the interconnection of an upper portion of thespace frame with an adjacently disposed space frame;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along theline 55 in FIG. 1 and additionally illustrating the interconnectionbetween the lower portion of a space frame and an adjacently disposedspace frame;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a support post at one end of thespace frame taken generally along the line 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a support post at the opposite endof the space frame taken generally along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plurality of modular building unitsincorporating the space frame of the invention connected in side by siderelationship to form a building;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, with portions broken away,taken generally along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along theline 10-- 10 in FIG. 8 with portions broken away.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to thedrawings and first more specifically to FIG. I, at 10 is indicatedgenerally a ductile, moment resistant, steel space frame constructedaccording to an embodiment of the invention. In general terms, the spaceframe comprises a lower frame assembly I2, an upper frame assembly 14,each of which has a substantially rectangular peripheral outline whenviewed from above, a pair of upright support posts 16 adjacent one endof the space frame, and another pair of supports 18 adjacent the otherend of the space fram'e. Posts l6, 18 support upper frame assembly I4over lower frame assembly I2 with peripheral margins of the upper frameassembly disposed substantially directly over peripheral margins of thelower frame assembly.

As is indicated generally in FIG. 1, lower frame assembly 12 is adaptedto have a multiple wheel truck assembly 20 and a towbar 22 detachablyconnected thereto permitting towing ofthe space frame to a buildingsite, after which the truck assembly and towbar may be removed and thespace frame set on a suitable foundation.

Describing lower frame assembly 12, and referring specifically to FIG.1, it includes a pair of elongate, parallel, laterally spaced I-beams30, 32. These I-beams extend horizontally and longitudinally of thespace frame on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the spaceframe. The [beams are disposed with their webs extending vertically andtheir flanges extending horizontally. This may be seen in FIG. 5 also. Aplurality of parallel, laterally spaced I-beams 34 extend transverselybetween I-beams 30, 32 and are secured, as by welding, adjacent theiropposite sets of ends to the webs of beams 30, 32.

A plurality of horizontally disposed extension, or outrigger, beams 36are secured to and project laterally outwardly from opposite sides ofbeams 30, 32. Secured to opposite ends of beams 30, 32 are formed beams40 having the general cross section illustrated in FIG. 10, and having alength corresponding to the sum of the lengths of a beam 34 and the pairof beams 36 extending outwardly from opposite ends thereof.

A rectangular angle frame 44 is secured to and supported on the outerends of beams 36 and extends along the upper surfaces of beams 40 (seeFIGS. I, 2, 9 and I0).

As is best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, each of posts 16 is an uprightchannel having a web 160 and flanges 16b. Channel 16 is disposed in theframe with its web substantially paralleling the vertical plane occupiedby the longitudinal axis of the frame and its flanges extend normalthereto.

Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 6, a portion of the top flange on oneside of the l-beam to which the channel 16 is secured, is cut away,whereby the channel may be inset into the beam with the back of its web16a resting against the web of its associated beam, as seen in FIG. 6.Channel 16 is secured to the web of its associated beam by being weldedthereto. Since, as is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom end of channel16 is closely adjacent the bottom of its associated beam the weld linessecuring the channel to its associated beam may be of a lengthcorresponding to the full depth of the lbeam to which it is secured.

Further, a support plate 48 is secured, as by welding, to the upper andlower flanges of the beam to which channel [6 is secured, and is weldedalong one of its edges to an upright flange of channel 16. This providesfurther support for the post.

With such securing of the base of a post 16 to its associated beam, asubstantially rigid, moment resistant connection is providedtherebetween. Further, with channels 16 being disposed with their webs16a paralleling the longitudinal axis of the space frame, they are ableto provide substantial support against movement of the upper ends of theposts and the upper frame assembly in directions extendinglongitudinally of the frame.

Posts 18 adjacent the opposite end of the frame assemblies are squaretubes, as illustrated in cross section in FIG. 5. Whereas posts 16 maybe on the order of seven inch channels, tubular posts 18 may be on theorder of three to four inches on a side. As is seen in FIG. 7, a post 18is secured to its associated beam 30 or 32 in much the same manner aspreviously described for a post [6. Briefly, the post is inset in anotch in a flange of its associated beam whereby one face of tube 18 mayrest flush with, and be secured, as by welding, to a web of itsassociated beam. Further, a support plate 50, similar to support plate48 previously described, is secured as by welding, to upper and lowerflanges of its associated beam, and secured, as by welding, along one ofits upright edges to a side of post 18 to provide further support forthe post. This connection between post 18 and the lower frame assemblyalso provides a moment resistant connection therebetween.

Since posts l6, 18 at opposite ends of the structure are ofdifferentcross sections the chance that harmonic vibrations may occur in thestructure as it is transported between job sites or in case of anearthquake is minimized.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, secured atop posts 16 and extendingtransversely thereof is an elongate channel 54 which is disposed withits web substantially horizontal and its flanges projecting upwardly.The length of channel 54 is slightly less than the length of beams 40 atopposite ends of the lower frame assembly. As is seen in FIG. 2,opposite end portions of the upwardly projecting flanges of channel 54are cut away.

Spaced a distance below channel 54 and secured to an inner set of edgesof posts 16 is an elongate channel 56. Channel 56 has substantially thesame length as channel 54, extends transversely of post 16 and isdisposed substantially horizontal with its flanges projecting upwardly.A pair of diagonal angle braces 60 are secured, as by welding, adjacenttheir opposite ends to posts 16 and outer ends of channel 54 forproviding side to side bracing for the upright posts and channels.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, it will be seen that posts 18 have a similarchannel 54 secured to their tops and a similar channel 56 secured totheir inner sides a distance below channel 54. The lengths andpositioning of channels 54, 56 secured to posts 18 is similar to thatindicated for like channels secured to posts l6. Further, similardiagonally disposed angle braces 60 are secured to posts 18 and channel54 to provide side to side bracking for the posts and channels at thisend of the frame.

A pair of elongate, laterally spaced, trusses 64, 66 extendlongitudinally of the space frame and are spaced to opposite sides ofthe longitudinal center line of the frame. The trusses are substantiallysimilar in construction, and thus only one will be described in detail.

Referring specifically to truss 66, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,the truss includes an elongate member of T-shaped cross section 70 whichmay be either a T-beam or a pair of elongate angle members welded inback to back relation. Another elongate T-shaped member 72 extendsparallel to and is spaced below member 70. Member 72 also may be eithera T-beam or a pair of angles welded in back to back relationship. Member70 is disposed with its central leg pointing down and member 72 isdisposed with its central leg pointing up.

A plurality of diagonally disposed angle braces 74 extend between andare secured, as by welding, adjacent their opposite sets of ends tomembers 70, 72, to complete the truss.

As is best seen in FIG. 3, secured to the underside of each of the endextremities of member 70 is a short T- shaped member 76. Member 76 isdisposed with its central leg facing upwardly and its flanges disposedhorizontally on its lower side. Member 76 thus is adapted to rest on andbe secured to an end extremity of channel 54, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.Lower T member 72 is secured adjacent its opposite ends to channels 56at opposite ends of the frame.

As is best seen in FIG. I, a plurality of cross trusses 80 extendbetween and are secured adjacent their opposite ends to T members 70 oftrusses 64, 66. Each of cross trusses 80 includes an elongate anglemember 82 extending horizontally across its top, and a pair of diagonally disposed angle members 84, 86 secured together adjacent thecenter of the truss, and disposed at angles whereby they join at theirspaced upper ends to opposite ends of member 82. An upright center post88 secured between members 82, 84, 86 completes the cross truss to forma substantially rigid truss to aid in rigidifying the upper frameassembly.

Four elongate channels 80, 82, 84, 86 are interconnected adjacent theirends to form a rectangular frame which extends peripherally about theupper frame assembly. As is best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, thesechannels are secured to the undersides of T-shaped members 72 formingthe lower member in the elongate truss structures, and to the undersidesof channels 56 at opposite ends of the frame. As is seen in FIGS. 2, 3and 5, all of the channels are disposed with their webs upright andtheir flanges facing inwardly toward the central region of the frame.

Referring to FIG. 3, an elongate channel member 88 extendingsubstantially parallel to channel member 80 is secured, as by welding,to the outer set of edges of posts 16. A similar channel is secured tothe outer edges of posts 18.

In use, a pair of adjacent space frames may be connected together inside by side relation in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.Referring first to FIG. 5, with a pair of such space frames in side byside rela tion, opposite end portions of elongate threaded rods, such asthat indicated generally at 90, extend through accommodating bores inlongitudinal I-beams 30, 32 in adjacent space frames. Appropriatewashers and nuts 92 screwed onto opposite ends of rod 90 serve to drawthe two space frames into abutting relationship as is seen in FIGS. 5and 9, with portions of angle frames 44 extending longitudinally alongthe sides of the space frames being drawn into abutting contact. Screws,such as that indicated generally at 94 extending through sections ofangle frame 44, in FIG. 9, also may be used for further securing theframes together.

At the upper portions of a pair of side-by-side space frames 10, lugs 96are secured to outer end portions of cross trusses 80 and a turnbuckle98 is connected adjacent its opposite ends to the lugs on adjacentframes. Tightening of turnbuckle 98 further serves to draw the adjacentspace frames toward each other and hold them in position adjacent eachother.

With such means for connecting adjacent space frames, a space frame maybe set in an approximate position adjacent another space frame, and thenby screwing action of the nuts on threaded rods 90 and the screwingaction of turnbuckles 98 the two side by side space frames may be drawninto abutting contact. This, then, simplifies the connecting procedureover that required in the past.

A space frame 10 is adapted to mount enclosing roof, side and end wallpanels thereon as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Referring first toFIG. 8, at 100, 102, 104 are indicated generally modular building units,each of which comprises a space frame as described above, which buildingunits are connected together in side by side relation to form abuilding.

As is seen in FIG. 8, unit has been left substantially open to form aporch for the building constructed of the interconnected building units.A single wall panel 108 is shown attached to a corner portion of unit100, which panel might be used for hanging a sign or other decorativeitems, and an end panel 114 is illustrated secured to the far end of theunit. Each of the units is provided with a floor, as indicated generallyat 110 for unit 100, secured to the lower frame assembly, and a roof 112secured to the top of the upper frame assembly.

Still referring to FIG. 8, opposite ends ofa unit, such as unit 102 maybe enclosed by end wall panels 114 which are secured at their upper endsto the upper frame assembly and at their lower ends to the lower frameassembly, as will be described in greater detail below. An end wall 114may be designed to carry lateral or shear loads to further support theunit against side to side movement, and may be secured in the unit totransmit such loads to the lower frame assembly and foundation.

An elongate side wall, such as the side wall of unit 102 facing theviewer and facing toward the porch unit, may be either left open, orhave solid or glass wall panels, door, or window units secured thereto.In the illustration, it may be assumed that certain ones of panels 116are a solid wood or composition material and others may be door, window,or glass areas. Due to the inherent rigidity and strength of the spaceframes in the units, there is no need for interior supporting wallswithin the building. The space frames, with their end support posts andthe lower and upper frame assemblies, are of sufficient strength topermit fully open interior spaces without additional support beingprovided.

Referring to FIG. 9, the attachment of floor panels, side wall panels,and roof panels are shown in greater detail. Referring first to floor 110 for a unit, it includes a prefabricated sandwich panel having alength substantially equal to the width of the lower frame assembly. Thepanel is comprised of a pair of outer sheets such as plywood, 120, 122and a foamed, polyurethane core 124. Such a panel has substantialstrength and excellent insulation characteristics, and may be securedeasily to the underlying lower frame assembly by means of screws orother conventional fasteners.

Surface flooring materials, such as tile or carpeting, indicatedgenerally at 126 may be laid over floor panels 110. An elongate coverstrip, such as indicated generally at 128, may be secured over the edgesof the floor panels where such join over a connection line betweenadjacent building units.

The roof for such a modular building unit also may compriseprefabricated sandwich panels, which also in clude opposite outer facesheets, such as plywood 130, 132, between which is secured a foamedpolyurethane core 134. Extending longitudinally of the buildingcomponent, and secured adjacent opposite edge margins of the roof panel,are elongate boards 136.

An exterior side wall 116 may comprise upper and lower sections 116a, 116b as illustrated in FIG. 9. Both of panels 116a, 1161) may comprisesandwich panels having plywood outer faces and a foamed polyurethanecore, as previously described for floor 110 and roof 112. Lower panel11Gb has sufficient height to extend from the lower frame assembly to aposition adjacent the channel frame extending about the underside of theupper frame assembly. This is best illustrated by the outer face plywoodsheet of panel ll6b resting in abutting relationship with and beingsecured, as by screws, to angle frame member 44 at its lower end, andthe inner face sheet of panel 1161; being in abutting relationship withchannel 82 adjacent its upper end.

Upper panel 1160 is of sufficient height to overlap the upper end ofpanel 11Gb and extend above the upper surface of roof panel 112. Withsuch construction, fasteners, such as screws, may extend through panels116a, 1 16b where they overlap adjacent channel 82 and be fastened tochannel 82. At its upper end panel 116a it may fastened, as by nailingor screwing, to boards 136.

Referring to FIG. 10, an end panel 1M also may comprise upper and lowersandwich panel sections 114a, ll4b, each of which has outer plywoodfaces with a foamed polyurethane inner core. The lower end of panelsection 4b abuts an angle frame member 44 and may be secured thereto byscrews of other fasteners. The upper edge of panel ll4b abuts channel 88near the upper end of an upright end post.

The lower edge of panel 114a overlaps the upper edge of panel 114!) andits upper edge abuts and may be fastened to an outer flange of channel54. A single fastener may extend through the overlapping edges of panels114a, ll4b to secure the same to channel 88.

At interior regions of a building made up ofa plurality of suchinterconnected building units, the interconnection between adjacentunits at the roof line may be through a pair of elongate, upright panelsindicated generally at 140 secured to the edges of the roof panels,which extend the full length of the units and project above the tops ofroof panels 112. Conventional roofing material, such as a mopped roof142, may be applied over roof panels 112. Elongate channel-formedflashings I44 cover the upwardly projecting panels at the longitudinalconnection between the adjacent building units to produce a rainproofcovering for the connection between the units.

lnteriorly of the building, the channel frame suspended from theundersides of the trusses provides inwardly facing shoulders forsupporting ceiling and light covering panels. Conventional acousticalceiling panels, such as those indicated generally at 148, may besupported in the structure with their opposing edge margins resting inthe channels, such as those indicated at 82, 86. The space between framemembers 82, 86 in adjoining units may be covered by a conventional coverstrip such as a board 150 secured to the undersides of the channels.

The modular building construction described, incorporating the subjectmoment resistant space frame, is easily transported to a constructionsite, and joined to adjacent building units to form an enclosed or openbuilding structure. At the building site enclosing wall, floor and roofpanels, and doors and windows may be attached by the simple connectionmethods described above.

Because of the structural strength provided in the frame the end, orcorner, support posts l6, 18 are the sole support required between theupper and lower frame assemblies. This permits great flexibility in themanner in which the units may be used by allowing the space frame to beused as an open or an enclosed structure.

Since end posts [6, 18 at opposite ends of the structure are differentin cross section and size, the tendency for harmonic vibrations to occurin the structure during hauling or during an earthquake is minimized.The manner in which the upright support posts are connected to the upperand lower frame assemblies also serves to rigidify the structure.

The design of such units also greatly facilitates the assembly ofseveral of such units to form a building, In assembling a plurality ofsuch units, a first unit is set in position on a suitable foundation andsecured in place. The next unit then may be placed in an approximateposition adjacent the first unit, and then by operation of the lowerconnecting rods and the upper connecting turnbuckles 98, the second unitmay be drawn into abutting relationship with the first unit. Thissubstantially increases the speed with which a building may be assembledfrom such modular building units.

Since the space frame has sufficient strength to support itself, theside and end wall panels need not bear vertical loads within thestructure. For this reason, the structure is extremely versatileallowing clear, open interior areas, the use of glass panels to formfuli wall sections or a substantially open structures as has beenillustrated for unit in FIG. 8.

Further, the side and end wall panels, the roof panels, and the floorpanels all may be constructed in such a manner that they are easilyconnected to or detached from the space frame. This facilitates use ofsuch a building unit as a temporary structure which may be moved asrequired. The panels may be standardized in size so that they areinterchangeable from unit to unit. Further, since the wall panels arenot required to bear structural loads in the unit they may be made lightenough to be easily handled by workmen and shipped more cheaply than canpanels which must bear structured loads.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein,it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations andmodifications are possible without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A moment resistant space frame for a modular building unit comprisingan elongate, horizontally disposed lower frame assembly,

an elongate, horizontally disposed upper frame assembly overlying andspaced above said lower frame assembly, with one end of the upper frameassembly positioned over one end of the lower frame assembly and theopposite end of the upper frame assembly positioned over the oppositeend of the lower frame assembly,

said upper frame assembly being supported above said lower frameassembly solely by a pair of upright support posts adjacent one set ofends of said frame assemblies and another pair of upright support postsadjacent the opposite set of ends of said frame assemblies, said postsin each of said pairs being secured adjacent their lower set of ends tosaid lower frame assembly and secured adjacent their upper set of endsto said upper frame assembly in a manner to provide moment resistant conment resistant connections to support said upper frame assembly oversaid lower frame assembly. 3. A moment resistant space frame for amodular building unit comprising nections between said upper and lowerends of the an elongate, horizontally disposed lower frame asposts andsaid frame assemblies, and wherein said sembly, posts in said pairadjacent one set of ends of the an elongate, horizontally disposed upperframe asframes assemblies have cross sections as viewed sembly overlyingand spaced above said lower from above which differ from the crosssections as frame assembly, with one end of the upper frame viewed fromabove of the posts in the pair adjacent assembly positioned over one endof the lower the opposite set of ends of the frames, with a post frameassembly and the opposite end of the upper in said pair adjacent one setof ends of the frame frame assembly positioned over the opposite end ofassemblies comprising a beam having a web and the lower frame assembly,flanges projecting outwardly therefrom and said said upper frameassembly being supported above beam is disposed in said frame with theweb thereof 5 said lower frame assembly by a pair of uprightsupoccupying a plane substantially paralleling a verti port postsadjacent one set of ends of said frame ascal plane occupied by thelongitudinal axis of the semblies and another pair of upright supportposts frame and with the flanges thereof disposed subadjacent theopposite set of ends of said frame asstantially normal to said plane.semblies, said posts in each of said pairs being se 2. A momentresistant space frame for a modular cured adjacent their lower set ofends to said lower building unit comprising frame assembly and securedadjacent their upper an elongate, horizontally disposed, lower frameasset of ends to said upper frame assembly in a mansembly, ner toprovide moment resistant connections bean elongate, horizontallydisposed, upper frame as tween said upper and lower ends of the postsand sembly overlying and spaced above said lower said frame assemblies,said posts in said pair adjaframe assembly with one end of the upperframe cent said one set of ends of said frame assemblies assemblypositioned over one end of the lower each having a first cross-sectionalconfiguration frame assembly and the opposite end of the upper and theposts in the pair adjacent the opposite set frame assembly positionedover the opposite end of of ends of said frame assemblies each having aseethe lower frame assembly, said upper frame assem- 0nd cross-sectionalconfiguration which is dissimibly including a pair of elongate,laterally spaced lar from said first cross-sectional configuration,trusses extending along opposite sides of said upper with a post in saidpair adjacent said one set of ends frame assembly and a substantiallyrectangular, of said frame assemblies comprising a beam havinghorizontally disposed channel frame secured to the a web and flangesprojecting outwardly therefrom undersides of said trusses and extendingperipherand a post in the pair adjacent the opposite set of ally aboutsaid upper frame assembly, said channel ends of the frame assemblieshaving a tubular cross frame having flanges thereon facing inwardly ofthe section. upper frame assembly to present supportive shoul- 4. Thespace frame of claim 3, wherein said beam is ders within the upper frameassembly, and disposed in said frame with the web thereof occupying aplurality of upright support posts disposed adjacent a planesubstantially paralleling a vertical plane occuopposite ends of saidframe assembliessecured adpied by the longitudinal axis of the frame andwith the jacent their lower set of ends to said lower frame flangesthereof disposed substantially normal to said assembly and securedadjacent their upper set of plane. ends to said upper frame assembliesthrough mo-

1. A moment resistant space frame for a modular building unit comprisingan elongate, horizontally disposed lower frame assembly, an elongate,horizontally disposed upper frame assembly overlying and spaced abovesaid lower frame assembly, with one end of the upper frame assemblypositioned over one end of the lower frame assembly and the opposite endof the upper frame assembly positioned over the opposite end of thelower frame assembly, said upper frame assembly being supported abovesaid lower frame assembly solely by a pair of upright support postsadjacent one set of ends of said frame assemblies and another pair ofupright support posts adjacent the opposite set of ends of said frameassemblies, said posts in each of said pairs being secured adjacenttheir lower set of ends to said lower frame assembly and securedadjacent their upper set of ends to said upper frame assembly in amanner to provide moment resistant connections between said upper andlower ends of the posts and said frame assemblies, and wherein saidposts in said pair adjacent one set of ends of the frames assemblieshave cross sections as viewed from above which differ from the crosssections as viewed from above of the posts in the pair adjacent theopposite set of ends of the frames, with a post in said pair adjacentone set of ends of the frame assemblies comprising a beam having a weband flanges projecting outwardly therefrom and said beam is disposed insaid frame with the web thereof occupying a plane substantiallyparalleling a vertical plane occupied by the longitudinal axis of theframe and with the flanges thereof disposed substantially normal to saidplane.
 2. A moment resistant space frame for a modular building unitcomprising an elongate, horizontally disposed, lower frame assembly, anelongate, horizontally disposed, upper frame assembly overlying andspaced above said lower frame assembly with one end of the upper frameassembly positioned over one end of the lower frame assembly and theopposite end of the upper frame assembly positioned over the oppositeend of the lower frame assembly, said upper frame assembly including apair of elongate, laterally spaced trusses extending along oppositesides of said upper frame assembly and a substantially rectangular,horizontally disposed channel frame secured to the undersides of saidtrusses and extending peripherally about said upper frame assembly, saidchannel frame having flanges thereon facing inwardly of the upper frameassembly to present supportive shoulders within the upper frameassembly, and a plurality of upright support posts disposed adjacentopposite ends of said frame assemblies secured adjacent their lower setof ends to said lower frame assembly and secured adjacent their upperset of ends to said upper frame assemblies through moment resistantconnections to support said upper frame assembly over said lower frameassembly.
 3. A moment resistant space frame for a modular building unitcomprising an elongate, horizontally disposed lower frame assembly, anelongate, horizontally disposed upper frame assembly overlying andspaced above said lower frame assembly, with one end of the upper frameassembly positioned over one end of the lower frame assembly and theopposite end of the upper frame assembly positioned over the oppositeend of the lower frame assembly, said upper frame assembly beingsupported above said lower frame assembly by a pair of upright supportposts adjacent one set of ends of said frame assemblies and another pairof upright support posts adjacent the opposite set of ends of said frameassemblies, said posts in each of said pairs being secured adjacenttheir lower set of ends to said lower frame assembly and securedadjacent their upper set of ends to said upper frame assembly in amanner to provide moment resistant connections between said upper andlower ends of the posts and said frame assemblies, said posts in saidpair adjacent said one set of ends of said frame assemblies each havinga first cross-sectional configuration and the posts in the pair adjacentthe opposite set of ends of said frame assemblies each having a secondcross-sectional configuration which is dissimilar from said firstcross-sectional configuration, with a post in said pair adjacent saidone set of ends of said frame assemblies comprising a Beam having a weband flanges projecting outwardly therefrom and a post in the pairadjacent the opposite set of ends of the frame assemblies having atubular cross section.
 4. The space frame of claim 3, wherein said beamis disposed in said frame with the web thereof occupying a planesubstantially paralleling a vertical plane occupied by the longitudinalaxis of the frame and with the flanges thereof disposed substantiallynormal to said plane.